Pitcher Matthew Boyd is thrilled to be with the Cubs after return from surgery
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- The Cubs finalized a two-year, $29 million deal with pitcher Matthew Boyd this past weekend.
The veteran lefthander, who returned from Tommy John elbow surgery this past season, is expected to bolster the starting rotation.
"I'm really thankful to have some options, but I'm so grateful to be with the Cubs. It's really something that's special to me," Boyd said. "My family, we have a lot of Chicago ties—and the Cubs have always held a place in my heart."
Boyd's grandfather, the late John Boyd, was a big Cubs fan himself.
My grandfather grew up in downtown Chicago and was a diehard Cubs fan. You know, I think he was more excited about the Cubs' scores than my own performance some of the time," Boyd said. "2016 was one of the happiest days of his life, so I know he's smiling somewhere."
Boyd, 33, went 2-2 with a 2.7 ERA in eight starts with the Cleveland Guardians last year. He also made three postseason appearances.
He was drafted out of Oregon State in 2013 by the Toronto Blue Jays, and made his debut with the team in 2015. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers that same season, and pitched for the Tigers until 2021.
Boyd pitched for the Seattle Mariners during the 2022 season, returned to the Tigers in 2023, and signed with the Guardians last year. He signed with the Cubs on Saturday.
Boyd said he sees postseason potential in a solid rotation and a lineup led by Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong, one of the team's top prospects.
"I think a year of growth from some of the young players," Boyd said. "Seeing what they did down the stretch last year was really, really exciting. The lineup is strong. ... The weapons that are there, the speed that's in the offense, the ability to hit for power and whatnot — there's a lot of tools in the lineup."
Boyd gets a $5 million signing bonus and salaries of $7.5 million next year and $14.5 million in 2026. The deal includes a $15 million mutual option with a $2 million buyout. He can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for innings: $100,000 each for 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120. He also gets a hotel suite on road trips.
The Cubs also announced manager Craig Counsell's coaching staff for next season on Monday, including several newcomers: first base coach Jose Javier, third base coach Quentin Berry, assistant pitching coach Casey Jacobson and staff assistant A.J. Lewis.
Mark Strittmatter moves to bullpen coach after spending last season as major league field coordinator. The Cubs also appointed Kevin Poppe head strength and conditioning coach and Mark Weisman assistant strength and conditioning coach.
The other nine coaches on Counsell's staff are returning from last season, including pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and hitting coach Dustin Kelly.
